Another DDM Tuning HID install
#1
Another DDM Tuning HID install
I decided to do the very popular HID light upgrade after reading much about it on this forum. I looked at Carnewal's kit and DDM's. After reading alot about both I went with the DDM kit. It costs $50.00, $35 plus $15 postage from China. It took about two weeks to arrive. Luckily all the correct parts were there. I ordered the 35W H1 kit with 4500 bulbs. I wanted white so I went with the 4500. I had read that DDM's 4500 were closer to blue than yellow on the spectrum and that is certainly true. Gert says his 4500 matches factory litronics in a side by side comparison. I have never seen the litronics in person so IDK.
Here are some photos of the install. Many have posted these. Mine are NOT the best but hopefully they will benefit some of you.
Attachment 683794Attachment 683801
This is what you get. Here is a photo of the label on the ballast: (see last two photos)
Attachment 683795
My two headlights were not identical. The passenger side was missing part of the clip mechanism that retains the bulb in place, also the spring appeared to have been bent and the place where in snaps down against the housing was obviously warped. I was careful with the retaining pieces and the housing because I read about people breaking these on the install. Here is what mine looked like:
Attachment 683799
Attachment 683800
On the passenger side light I had to use the dremel because it was just a tad bit too tight. I didn't take much to make it fit. You then put the bulbs in and attach the power and ground. The brown wire is the ground and it has a cylinder female spade. I crimped this over/around the male spade, made sure it was tight and then wrapped with electrical tape.
The rest of the wires just plug together, as others have said, you really can't mess that part up. Stuff it all in the housing as shown and put it back on the car.
Here are a few before shots:
And the after:
As you can see it is a big improvement. I spent a total of 5 seconds taking these photos because it is really cold outside. I think I will like them and will get a better impression tomorrow night driving home. i did hit the brights after they were installed and I was amazed at the stark difference between the yellow of the high beams and the white (blue hue) of the low beams.
Here are some photos of the install. Many have posted these. Mine are NOT the best but hopefully they will benefit some of you.
Attachment 683794Attachment 683801
This is what you get. Here is a photo of the label on the ballast: (see last two photos)
Attachment 683795
My two headlights were not identical. The passenger side was missing part of the clip mechanism that retains the bulb in place, also the spring appeared to have been bent and the place where in snaps down against the housing was obviously warped. I was careful with the retaining pieces and the housing because I read about people breaking these on the install. Here is what mine looked like:
Attachment 683799
Attachment 683800
On the passenger side light I had to use the dremel because it was just a tad bit too tight. I didn't take much to make it fit. You then put the bulbs in and attach the power and ground. The brown wire is the ground and it has a cylinder female spade. I crimped this over/around the male spade, made sure it was tight and then wrapped with electrical tape.
The rest of the wires just plug together, as others have said, you really can't mess that part up. Stuff it all in the housing as shown and put it back on the car.
Here are a few before shots:
And the after:
As you can see it is a big improvement. I spent a total of 5 seconds taking these photos because it is really cold outside. I think I will like them and will get a better impression tomorrow night driving home. i did hit the brights after they were installed and I was amazed at the stark difference between the yellow of the high beams and the white (blue hue) of the low beams.
Last edited by 95carrera; 11-29-2012 at 02:20 AM. Reason: trying to get photos in the correct order
#3
They must be making those ballasts smaller now as mine would have been crammed tight in the headlight. I didn't like the hard bend on the cables. They are mounted inside the fenders now. Either way it is a great upgrade!
#5
I've had the DDM 3000K fog light HIDs for 2 years now in my aftermarket Turbo S projector scoops. I even set them as DRL and no issues, love them! Also have the DDM high beam HIDs in 3000K. They make a huge difference compared to the stock high beams.
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#8
993s have separate bulbs/locations for hi and lo beams. I re aligned my beams after I did my HIDs. Probably a good idea as the HIDs are significantly brighter.
#9
Thanks. Sorry about the pictures not loading correctly. The "what you get" photos is at the end of the post.
I think I will change out the high beams with some updates Sylvanias as suggested above. I wil also try to post some more photos of the lights on the one "after shot" has an exaggerated blue tint to the photo. The 4500s definetely have a blue hue, but I don't think that photo is really representative, it seems to exaggerate the blue.
If these ever fail I would go to Carnewal's kit but as many have stated the DDM's seem to be fairly well reviewed.
I think I will change out the high beams with some updates Sylvanias as suggested above. I wil also try to post some more photos of the lights on the one "after shot" has an exaggerated blue tint to the photo. The 4500s definetely have a blue hue, but I don't think that photo is really representative, it seems to exaggerate the blue.
If these ever fail I would go to Carnewal's kit but as many have stated the DDM's seem to be fairly well reviewed.
#10
I had to raise mine a little bit to light up a bit further down the road to where the halogens were. I think it's the length of the bulb that does that, and were the gas lights up compared to the halogen filament
#11
I did this the other day as well. The ballasts are very small and fit inside the headlight without straining any wires. The only thing I didn't like was the spade lug supplied to connect with the ground wire. If I did it again I'd replace the spade connector on the HID lights with a bullet connector so the round ground fit better.
If you are doing this, make SURE TO CLEAN the INSIDE of your headlights while you have them out!
http://www.pcarworkshop.com/index.ph...ing_Headlights
Guess which side is the "Before".
If you are doing this, make SURE TO CLEAN the INSIDE of your headlights while you have them out!
http://www.pcarworkshop.com/index.ph...ing_Headlights
Guess which side is the "Before".
#13
Just an example of the cut-off from an HID housing
Our cars are pretty low as is, so it might no be too noticeable, but ususally HID bulbs in non HID housings are terribly annoying for the car in front of you.
Our cars are pretty low as is, so it might no be too noticeable, but ususally HID bulbs in non HID housings are terribly annoying for the car in front of you.
#14
I did the DDM kits for both the low beam and fogs...Hi & H3 respectively, both 4500. The fogs are even more impressive that the low beams. I spent some time readjusting both, to account for the increased light output. When my gas tank is low, I get lots of hi-beam flash's.
Bright yes, but I'd still prefer a set of 8" round rally lights on the front. I had a set of those babies thru bolted on the front bumper of the last Audi I had. You can never have too much light. Fog, heavy falling snow excluded from that statement naturally.
Bright yes, but I'd still prefer a set of 8" round rally lights on the front. I had a set of those babies thru bolted on the front bumper of the last Audi I had. You can never have too much light. Fog, heavy falling snow excluded from that statement naturally.
#15
First night drive tonight. Frankly, I'm not digging them that much. The 4500's have too much blue to them. Not so bad overall that I would go back to stock. I would like to see some photos showing color on Carnewal's kit. I might switch them if they are pure white.
As far as driving, I don't get any flashes from opposing traffic. So I think I'm okay there, I may adjust slightly.
As far as driving, I don't get any flashes from opposing traffic. So I think I'm okay there, I may adjust slightly.